Diamonds in the Dark Crimson Red Crepe Myrtle

Diamonds in the Dark Crimson Red (Lagerstroemia indica 'Diamonds in the Dark Crimson Red') is the crepe myrtle for gardens without room for a tree. It holds at about 3m tall and 2.5m wide, carries foliage so dark it reads as near black, and pushes crimson flower panicles over the top of it through summer. Most flowering shrubs give you colour against green; this one gives you colour against black.

Why you'll love it

• Dark foliage, not just flowers. The near black leaves hold their colour all season, so the plant carries a bed between flushes of flower.
• A long summer of crimson. Panicles open over weeks rather than days, and a plant in full sun keeps producing through the hottest weeks.
• Roots that stay out of trouble. Non-invasive and fibrous, one of the safer choices near paving, paths and services.
• Pet friendly and good for wildlife. Not toxic to cats or dogs, and the flowers bring bees and butterflies in numbers.

Where it works best

Feature planting in a small garden. At 3m by 2.5m one plant near an entry does the whole job, working as both a foliage plant and a flowering one. A background of plain green makes the dark leaves read properly.

Pots and courtyards. A pot 500mm or wider suits it, and container growing holds it nearer 2m to 2.5m. Be realistic about watering, since a potted crepe myrtle in full sun drinks hard in January.

Driveways and avenues. Space plants about 3m apart, a little wider than the mature spread, so each canopy keeps its own shape rather than merging into a hedge.

Growing Diamonds in the Dark Crimson Red in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun, and this is not negotiable. In shade the foliage lightens towards green, flowering thins out and mildew becomes far more likely. It suits subtropical, warm temperate, cool temperate and mediterranean gardens, is frost hardy once established, and shrugs off dry heat.

Soil. Any reasonably drained soil will do. Work compost through the backfill, raise the bed on heavy clay, and mulch 75mm deep clear of the trunk.

Water and feed. Deep soak twice a week through the first two summers, then taper off, because it is drought tolerant once the roots are down. Feed a controlled release fertiliser in early spring.

Pruning. Prune in winter while it is bare. Take off spent flower heads and shorten last season's growth by a third at most. Cutting it back to stubs each year produces whippy growth and weak branch unions.

What to expect when it arrives

We grow it in 200mm pots sold in packs of six, and in single 300mm pots. The 200mm plants are the practical choice for a driveway run; the 300mm plants are further along and give a better framework in the first year. Both take three to four years to reach full size in a sunny spot.

One thing not to worry about: this is deciduous, so ordered between late autumn and early spring it arrives as bare stems. That is dormancy, and it will shoot in spring. Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95, and every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• The complete crepe myrtle care guide
• Growing the Diamonds in the Dark range
• Compare every crepe myrtle we grow
• Browse plants sized for small gardens

Common questions

Does it really stay at 3m?

Yes, this is a compact selection rather than a standard crepe myrtle held small by pruning. Expect 3m tall and 2.5m wide in the ground, and closer to 2m to 2.5m in a large pot.

Will it lose its leaves in winter?

It will. The foliage colours up and drops in autumn, leaving smooth bare stems until it reshoots in spring. If you need year round cover there, choose an evergreen.

Why is the new growth going white and powdery?

That is powdery mildew, and it means too little sun or airflow. In a fully open sunny position it rarely appears, since this range was selected for better mildew resistance than older varieties.